BEIJING/SHANGHAI, Dec. 27, 2018 –
China has proposed a ban on forced technology transfer and illegal government "interference" in foreign business operations, practices that have come under the spotlight in a trade dispute with the United States.
A draft foreign investment law, the full text of which was published by the top legislature on Wednesday, comes as China tries to resolve its protracted standoff with the United States, which accuses it of unfair trade practices including intellectual property (IP) theft and forced IP transfer.
While China has frequently denied such accusations, it has pledged to improve market access for foreign investors and better protect their rights in the face of growing complaints and slower foreign investment.
The final draft law, with 39 articles, was far shorter than a version released in 2015, but took a notably stronger line on IP protection.
"Official authorities and their staff shall not use administrative means to force the transfer of technology," the draft says.
That compares with a general statement that foreign firms' IP rights would be protected, in 2015.
As trade tension flares, there has been growing caution in countries like the United States and Germany about Chinese companies - backed by the state and flush with cash - obtaining advanced foreign technology through aggressive acquisitions abroad.
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